Written answers
Tuesday, 20 February 2024
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Mother and Baby Homes
Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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471. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the enhanced medical card will be issued regarding the redress scheme proposed for mother and baby home survivors; the eligibility criteria that will apply; the treatments and services it will cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7424/24]
Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme, which will open to applications within this quarter, provides for financial payments and health supports for eligible persons. The legislation that underpins the Scheme provides that a person who spent at least 180 days as a mother or child in a Mother and Baby or County Home Institution, as listed in Schedule 1 of the Act, is eligible for the health supports.
It is intended that the enhanced medical card will ensure the provision, without charge, of the following primary and community health services for those eligible:
- GP services;
- prescribed drugs, medicines, aids and appliances
- dental, ophthalmic and aural services;
- home nursing;
- home support;
- counselling;
- chiropody/podiatry; and
- physiotherapy.
Those who are living outside of Ireland will have the choice of opting for an enhanced medical card or a once off health support payment.
The Payment Scheme Executive Office will notify the HSE if an applicant is eligible for the enhanced medical card and the HSE will provide the card to the applicant.
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